The last thing we need is an

India-Pakistan war

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Disturbing news from the border area between India and Pakistan where clashes between the two countries' troops have broken out.

With so much conflict in the world, it is sometimes easy to forget that the Line of Control that divides Kashmir is one of the world's most problematic troublespots. Pakistani militants have been fighting for the liberation of Kashmir, whose population is predominantly Muslim, since it was placed under India's jurisdiction at independence sixty years ago.

The issue is so controversial that India and Pakistan have gone to war over Kashmir twice in the past, and five years ago the two countries, which now have their own nuclear weapons arsenals, came close to renewing hostilities, but were pulled back from the brink of a potential nuclear war following the last minute intervention of the Bush administration.

So it is deeply worrying to see that the two sides have again been involved in border skirmishes. This time the issue that prompted yesterday's exchanges was a new bunker the Indians have constructed close to the Line of Control. The Indians insist the bunker is located in their area of jurisdiction, while the Pakistanis disagree.

The clashes erupted when Pakistani trooops went to inspect the bunker, and an Indian soldier was killed when the two sides opened fire on each other.

It is easy to imagine yesterday's incident spiralling out of control into all-out war, so it is reassuring that both sides have immediately agreed to hold urgent talks to resolve the dispute. The last thing the world needs at the moment is another war, let alone one between two nuclear powers.